Apostle Paul in writing to the congregation in Rome, tells them,
Do not conform to the
pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind. (Romans 12:2a NIV)
After several centuries things haven’t changed much as there
are still many persons attending church Sunday after Sunday to whom this verse
applies; people who are trying to transform while conforming to the pattern of
this world.
They know of God but don’t know God. Like Philip, they’ve
been in church for years but still can’t recognize the Father.
Jesus answered: “Don’t
you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone
who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the
Father’? (John 14:9 NIV)
They believe in Jesus, but they struggle with change, so it’s
easier to hold on to the familiar patterns rather than deal with the “uncertainty”
of transformation.
They are saved but have not truly taken ownership of their
salvation and they are definitely not prepared to work out their salvation with
fear and trembling (see Philippians 2:12).
Beloved, trying to transform while conforming is like
spinning a top in mud, it just doesn’t work. You just cannot have it both ways.
Transformation is a complete change in your mindset. It’s tantamount to
reprogramming. As the apostle says, it is the
renewing of your mind.
All your worldly ways of thinking are thrown out, and your thinking
is realigned to be in alignment with the will of God, as Paul goes on to say,
Then you will be able to test
and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans
12:2b NIV)
However, you are not meant to accomplish any of this in your
own strength, for it is God who works in
you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose (Philippians
2:13 NIV).
It may be easier to hold on to the familiar, but it is much
more beneficial to let go and let God; as for
God, his way is perfect (ref. Psalm 18:30).
Amen †
Shelley Johnson “Trying to Transform while Conforming” ©2026 June 7, 2026
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